Food Poisoning Cases Force EWC to Delay PUBG Mobile Grand Finals in Paris

The Esports World Cup hit an unexpected and alarming setback this Friday. The Grand Finals of the 2026 Esports World Cup's PUBG Mobile bracket had to be pushed back after a suspected outbreak of severe food poisoning swept through the competing rosters in Paris.

What Happened On Site

Journalist Richard Lewis broke the news on X, reporting that at least four players had fallen ill, with ambulances already called to the venue and hospitalizations looking likely. Then that number climbed fast.

Lewis followed up shortly after, saying the case count could be as high as twenty players and staff, and that organizers were scrambling to set up a makeshift medical tent so people could get treated without delay.

Things got even harder to watch after that. Lewis posted a third update noting that footage of affected individuals being hospitalized, or waiting for care, had started circulating on Chinese social media, a sign of just how many people were caught up in the outbreak.

The Broadcast Goes Silent

The chaos spilled straight into the live broadcast. Coverage was cut for more than an hour while medical staff worked through the venue, and when the stream finally returned, caster Johnny "Reppulsor" Leal took a moment to wish the affected players a speedy recovery. 

Fellow PUBG Mobile caster Karen "Khaya" Hayashida then read a statement from the Esports World Cup, confirming the situation directly:

"We have been made aware that members of multiple teams have reported been feeling unwell and are receiving the treatment and support they need. Our priority is the health and wellbeing of those affected, and we are providing all necessary support and care."

With that, the remaining matches were officially pushed to Saturday.

Where Things Stand Now

The PUBG Mobile tournament is being staged at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, the same venue hosting the CS2 event, which is currently in its playoff stage. Importantly, there have been no reports linking the food poisoning outbreak to the CS2 side of the venue, suggesting the issue is contained to catering or facilities used specifically by the PUBG Mobile delegation.

The Grand Finals were originally expected to wrap up Sunday, so a one day delay still leaves organizers some breathing room, but it is far from the finish they wanted for one of the EWC's main titles.

As of now, neither the Esports World Cup Foundation nor tournament organizers have released an official statement pinpointing the source of the outbreak, and it remains unclear whether it stemmed from food served at the venue, a hotel, or elsewhere in Paris.

More updates are expected as the makeshift medical response continues and as the rescheduled matches get underway Saturday.

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Featured Image Credit: Esports Foundation

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